Australian High Commission Counsellor, Mr. Andrew Shepherd,

Chief Operating Officer of the iTaukei Trust Fund Board, Mr. Aisake Taito,

President of Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation, Mr. Vinay Narsey,

CEO of FCEF, Mr. Kameli Batiweti,

Invited Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen

Bula Vinaka and a very good afternoon to all of you.

I am happy to be here today to address and celebrate your achievements.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We all understand that Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a crucial role in Fiji’s economy. They contribute to Fiji’s work towards eradicating poverty and our national development through the sustainability of livelihood amongst women, youth and vulnerable groups to name a few.

I commend Fiji Enterprise Engine’s efforts in providing a platform for business trainers and mentors in nurturing aspiring entrepreneurs to succeed and grow in the future.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today we witness the graduation of the 2022 Fiji Enterprise Engine (FEE) Cohort.

The knowledge gained from this programme will surely open doors to more business investment opportunities, so how best you utilise this knowledge will surely prepare you to take your businesses to the next level and be a role model for future generations of aspiring entrepreneurs.

As partners of the FEE programme, it was particularly pleasing to note the success of the FEE programme such as:

• Average growth rate of 10%;
• MSMEs that went through the FEE programme earned an “increased revenue by $1.8 million”; and
• MSMEs ability to access finance of over $640,000.

That is why we have continued to invest in the FEE programme over the last two years.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to also announce that the Ministry is happy to further support FEE by becoming a financial partner for the programme in this financial year. We also hope that the secretariat is able to secure other sponsors from the private sector as well – and we will also be lobbying with our partners as well.

We are excited to learn that you are intending to expand to run a cohort in the West as well. I strongly encourage that this be pursued as we cannot have MSME development happening only in Suva.

Hopefully, we will see that FEE programme also in the Northern division in the not too distant future. With the National Economic Summit and Budget coming up, we are pushing for more assistance to be provided for business development services and incubation services.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The great thing about learning is that it never ends, as you learn you undoubtedly grow. As you are improving our MSMEs, you are also indirectly building our local capacity of mentors and trainers – which is also needed.

Additionally, it is exciting to see that there are efforts made to also teach our MSME’s in “Greening your business” and “Digitising your business”. These are forward looking and relevant topics to be taught.

We have to build an all-encompassing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

To the graduating cohort of 2022, my message is simple –

As ambassadors of this programme, I encourage you to nurture and use your innovative minds as your guiding compass to become job creators and successful business owners.

The Fiji Government also counts on you, as your valuable knowledge and skill will contribute and assist in our strategic policies and plans and issues that directly impact all lives and build a better future for Fiji.

The Ministry is here to help you, help you grow further and provide support that you need. We are your first point of contact in Government for your business needs, not just for grants, but even for market linkages, stakeholder engagement and advisory.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With those few words congratulations once again on your graduation and I wish you the very best on your entrepreneurial journey.

Vinaka Vakalevu.